On the genus Latonigena Simon ( Araneae , Gnaphosidae ) : description of two new species , the female of L . santana , and new records

The taxonomy of the genus Latonigena Simon is updated after the study of the collection of the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales (Buenos Aires). Two new species are described: L. pampa, n. sp., from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, and L. pittieri, n. sp., from Aragua, Venezuela (the first record of a member of this genus from that country). Three species previously known from Brazil (L. turvo, L. lami, and L. santana) are newly reported from Argentina, and the female of the latter is here described for the first time. Zelotes zonatus (Holmberg) is considered nomen dubium.


INTRODUCTION
The South American gnaphosid genus Latonigena Simon comprises to date eight species, and is distributed in Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Uruguay (Platnick, 2013).The genus remained little known for more than a century since its description, until recently Jorge et al. (2013) studied the taxonomy, distribution and biology of the type species (L.auricomis Simon), and Ott et al. (2012) described seven species from Brazil and Bolivia, and transferred L. africana Tucker to the genus Trichothyse Tucker.
This genus comprises medium-sized spiders with a conspicuous abdominal pattern (with transversal alternated dark and light bands), a dorsal scutum on the male abdomen, and lacking preening combs, all characters that Murphy (2007) used to locate it in the Herpyllus group.
Besides the above mentioned species, there is an additional described species that could conceivably fit in the genus: Zelotes zonatus (Holmberg, 1876), described originally in the genus Pythonissa.The type material of this species (as occurred with all other species described by Holmberg) no longer exist, but the original description and illustrations strongly suggest that it could belong to Latonigena (Holmberg, 1876:10), as well as the suggestive data: "Viven con preferencia bajo la corteza de Eucalyptus…" (they live with preference under bark of Eucalyptus), suggest that this might be a senior synonym of L. auricomis, also common under Eucalyptus bark in the same locality (Buenos Aires).However, as it is shown below, Latonigena lami is also present in Buenos Aires, making impossible to discern to which of the two species known in the area could belong the specimens reported by Holmberg.Given that the name Zelotes zonatus cannot be certainly assigned to either species, we consider it here as nomen dubium.
The study of the collection of the Museo Etymology.The specific epithet is a noun in apposition, and refers to the Pampa, the eco-region where the type locality belongs.
Diagnosis.Males of Latonigena pampa can be distinguished by their relatively elongated copulatory bulb, with a long embolus originating basally in the tegulum, accompanied dorsally by a weakly sclerotized conductor, which is relatively large, with a wide base of insertion, and that surpass the tip of the embolus (Figs.1d, 3a); the RTA is short, with a slightly sclerotized tip, that points to ventrally (Figs. 1e,3b).Females resemble to those of L. lami and L. beni by lacking anterior epigynal hoods and by the general shape of the median epigynal septum, but this structure is relatively longer, with curved margins in the anterior half, that turn straight, parallel, at the posterior half (Fig. 2g); also by its long, sinuous copulatory ducts, with openings anteriorly located (Fig. 3c).

Distribution. Known only from Buenos Aires
Province, Argentina (Fig. 4b).Etymology.The specific name is a noun in apposition in honor to Henri François Pittier (1857-1950) a Swiss geographer and botanist who lived in Venezuela and devoted many years studying the flora and fauna in the country.The type locality of this species is very close to the National Park named after this scientist.

Other
Diagnosis.The female of Latonigena pittieri resembles to those of L. auricomis by its very narrow median septum (Fig. 2h), but, besides its very small body size, its copulatory ducts are longer, which open in a more advanced position, at the same level of the anterior border of the spermathecae (Fig. 3d).
Genitalia: median septum narrow, copu-Genitalia: median septum narrow, copulatory ducts relatively long, copulatory openings in advanced position, at the same level of the anterior border of the spermathecae (Figs.2h, 3d).
Distribution.Known only from the type locality, in Northern Venezuela (Fig. 4a).
Distribution.Previously known only from the type locality, in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), its range is extended to Santa Fe and Buenos Aires provinces, in east central Argentina (Fig. 4b).Ott, Rodrigues & Brescovit (Fig. 4b)
Argentino de Ciencias Naturales (Buenos Aires) led us to update the knowledge on the genus, proposing two new species (L.pampa from Argentina, and L. pittieri, from Venezuela), and expand to central Argentina the distribution of three species previously known only from Brazil, L. lami, L. turvo, and L. santana, with the description of the female of the latter species.